How neuropathy affects the menopause experience

Written by Karen May, DC, CCSP, CCIP | Jun 9, 2023 6:02:36 PM

Hot flashes. Mood swings. Exhaustion. If menopause weren’t already enough to deal with on its own, did you know that this natural process can also trigger the onset of neuropathy?

Wait. What’s neuropathy?

High-level overview

For a condition that has over 100 known causes, it’s often grossly under-represented. We have a lot of information on the subject, so we’ll provide an overview here and let you explore our other neuropathy blog topics at your leisure.
At a high-level, peripheral neuropathy is caused by damage to the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is what sends messages to and from the spinal cord and brain to the rest of the body. When the PNS is damaged, it causes pain and numbness in the hands and feet, among other symptoms.

Menopause and neuropathy

Menopause has one big thing in common with neuropathy: It doesn’t get as much attention as it should, considering how significantly it affects a stage of life for half the world’s population.

Thankfully, the link between menopause and neuropathy is finally starting to gain more attention in the medical community -- but we have a long way to go. Women are still being told that this is just something they’ll need to deal with rather than working to get to the root cause.

Here’s what we do know. Hormone levels play a big role.

Imbalances can result in changes to how the nerves receive blood oxygen and blood flow.
Estrogen helps maintain nerve health by promoting nerve tissue repair and regeneration. As women enter menopause, estrogen levels decline significantly, leading to potential nerve damage and the onset of neuropathy symptoms.

Signs you might have neuropathy during menopause

First, it’s important to remember that not all symptoms will be the same across the board. Just as all bodies are unique, symptoms can appear in various ways for different people.

Here are some of the most common symptoms to look for:

Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet (“pins and needles”)
Heightened sensitivity to touch
Muscle weakness
Burning sensations in the affected areas

What you can do if you have neuropathy with menopause

Lifestyle changes including a healthy diet, exercise, stress reduction
Supplement program
Support groups
Focus on hydration and circulation

Takeaway

If you’re suffering from neuropathy, you’re not alone, and relief is possible. Whether you choose to go it alone or work with the support of those who have been there, taking a holistic approach to healing can help reverse your neuropathy and get you back to feeling like the best version of yourself.

Lasting neuropathy relief

My team at Momentum Health Neuropathy Center is here for you if you are suffering from Neuropathy.

While there is no cure or quick fix for neuropathy, our proven Neuropathy Relief Program has seen success time and time again at:

Reducing pain and numbness
Improving balance and mobility
Improving quality of life and overall health
Helping clients to regain their freedom and independence

With hundreds of clients, and a 95%+ success rate, you can trust your health in our hands and finally get back to living life on your terms.

To connect with a relief expert today and see what relief options are available to you, give us a call today at 517-883-2291. We would love the chance to help you get the lasting relief that you deserve.

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